softball2011

I think Silsbee will do everything they can next friday to prevent BC from doing it......they have a lot of bats....

so who got the win for BC and who got the lose for Buna?? BC definitely took care of Business as the score says but Buna was knocking on the door several times, kept me thinking they were going to make it more interesting before the game was over.  Guidry's homer dead center  seem to suck the last little wind out of the sales.  Kolton Clark sure seemed like his old self on 3b making some pretty above average plays seem like everyday plays for him.  Very nice to see his confidence building.  Yes the boys made some costly errors on defense, and if they eliminate them in this game Buna probably still loses 2-1.  Buna needs more than anything, timely hitting in clutch situations, 2-3 back to back hits, more offense.  Defense is improving and slowing getting more consistant, pitching is  manageable if they continue to pitch by committee and not leave one guy in too long, but the offense has the most room to make the biggest difference in the rest of the season. 

[quote name="Sportsfan1968" post="1391671" timestamp="1365182380"] If Howell is hot tonight and sends 15+ back to dugout with a K, Howelliville might win the pitching duel 1-0.  If Kountze puts the ball in play and I expect they will, it could get ugly early.  Admittediy its is difficult to stay in game defensively(mentally focused)  when your pitcher is rolling and mowing the opponent down but you should be able to make your routine plays, which I have seen Deweyville fumble almost unbelievably  at times.  It will boil down to defense tonight I think.  Runs will probably equal errors.  Should be a fun pitching exhibition to watch, walks will be deadly.  I pick Kountze 6-3.  Howell is a very crafty pitcher who does not rely on velocity alone to dominate his victims, but kountze has a couple bats that can make him pay if they get what they are looking for.  [/quote] yum yum, my crow sure taste sweet....Howell was having fun and controlled entire game, great job, got into walk trouble a couple times, and pitched his way right out of it.  Hopefully the Lions learned from it and moved on which it seems they did with a nice victory over EC.  Good job Pirates, saw more sharp balls put into play than I have noticed in the paste.

[quote name="SteelerCzy" post="1391728" timestamp="1365193194"] [quote author=Sportsfan1968 link=topic=110790.msg1391706#msg1391706 date=1365188186] [quote author=Piratesdad4410 link=topic=110790.msg1391691#msg1391691 date=1365186755] I say [b]Deweyville is Screwing up by pitching Howell[/b], They should save him for EC tuesday, who cares about Kountze. Deweyville can lose to Kountze all three times as long as they keep beating the teams they have already beat they will finish in the top two in the district.    JMO With franklin pitching for Kountze and howell for D-Ville it will be A 1-0 game that can go either way the guy that said the score would be 6-3 kountze must not have A clue NOBODY in this District can put up [b]6 on Howell[/b] LMAO [/quote] I totally agree with your first statement, I don't think Deweyville has ever used Howell for the right games, I think Deweyville could have made it to the playoffs last year had they tried not so hard to beat Buna instead of making sure they won all the games would have for sure had they used Howell in them.  He is definitely a "Stud" and a pleasure to watch work his craft.  note:  I am not saying Buna wasn't beatable, because they were, just there were better odds in other games. Your second statement I prefaced the scored with your defense and errors......there are abundant(errors) every time I have seen them play.  Dribbles in the infield, routine double plays bobbled to end up not even making an out, almost surprised that the ball has been put into play.  I imagine both pitchers will walk away with intact ERA's and which ever defense commits least errors wins.  Walks will be deadly in my opinion and will factor in some way..... they always do. I am not certain, so this isn't a qospel but I believe Franklin had a hell of game vs Hardin first game, lots of K's, next to no hits, and still lost due to some miss ques  behind the plate.... maybe I don't have a clue but I do believe Kountze has a lot more kids with swings that can put the ball in play than [b]Howelliville[/b] does, that was my point. [/quote] By calling the Deweyville Pirates "[b]Howellville[/b]" you are degrading a pretty good team thats currently 5-1 in District play. Not sure what your problem is with Deweyville but I can promise you this is a complete team that is very lucky to have a "stud" like Jacob on the team. You want to talk about errors? You need to address the errors that the Lions make and there are plenty, having watched them the last 3 yrs. Try and remember these are High School kids that are playing a game, and maybe you can learn some class from them. [/quote] In hind site Howellville was poor choice of words, I only intended to honor Jacob Howell, but you are right,  it indirectly put other kids down, and that was wrong.  Sorry if I offended anyone.  When I think of Deweyville baseball, I think of Howell but it does take an entire team to win.  Deweyville certainly has good athletes on the team.  Errors are part of the game, doesn't mean to me whether a kid is good or bad.  I do think they often affect the outcome of the game, as I do think they will tonight.  Goodluck to both teams.

[quote name="Piratesdad4410" post="1391691" timestamp="1365186755"] I say [b]Deweyville is Screwing up by pitching Howell[/b], They should save him for EC tuesday, who cares about Kountze. Deweyville can lose to Kountze all three times as long as they keep beating the teams they have already beat they will finish in the top two in the district.    JMO With franklin pitching for Kountze and howell for D-Ville it will be A 1-0 game that can go either way the guy that said the score would be 6-3 kountze must not have A clue NOBODY in this District can put up [b]6 on Howell[/b] LMAO [/quote] I totally agree with your first statement, I don't think Deweyville has ever used Howell for the right games, I think Deweyville could have made it to the playoffs last year had they tried not so hard to beat Buna instead of making sure they won all the games would have for sure had they used Howell in them.  He is definitely a "Stud" and a pleasure to watch work his craft.  note:  I am not saying Buna wasn't beatable, because they were, just there were better odds in other games. Your second statement I prefaced the scored with your defense and errors......there are abundant(errors) every time I have seen them play.  Dribbles in the infield, routine double plays bobbled to end up not even making an out, almost surprised that the ball has been put into play.  I imagine both pitchers will walk away with intact ERA's and which ever defense commits least errors wins.  Walks will be deadly in my opinion and will factor in some way..... they always do. I am not certain, so this isn't a qospel but I believe Franklin had a hell of game vs Hardin first game, lots of K's, next to no hits, and still lost due to some miss ques  behind the plate.... maybe I don't have a clue but I do believe Kountze has a lot more kids with swings that can put the ball in play than Howelliville does, that was my point.

[quote name="Numbaa8" post="1391686" timestamp="1365185232"] Smith sits mid to low 80s, and Orangefield scored 8 off Hartman in 2 all on hits and hit Powell very well They also knocked out Jeffcoat after 2 [/quote] Well if they hit Howell, eventhough it was preseason, then I would say they can handle whatever BC throws at them, I just didn't see that many good at bats from them in the game that I saw....OF vs Buna.  Do you know who threw against Buna?? Who is Hartman and how hard does he throw??

If Howell is hot tonight and sends 15+ back to dugout with a K, Howelliville might win the pitching duel 1-0.  If Kountze puts the ball in play and I expect they will, it could get ugly early.  Admittediy its is difficult to stay in game defensively(mentally focused)  when your pitcher is rolling and mowing the opponent down but you should be able to make your routine plays, which I have seen Deweyville fumble almost unbelievably  at times.  It will boil down to defense tonight I think.  Runs will probably equal errors.  Should be a fun pitching exhibition to watch, walks will be deadly.  I pick Kountze 6-3.  Howell is a very crafty pitcher who does not rely on velocity alone to dominate his victims, but kountze has a couple bats that can make him pay if they get what they are looking for.   

Does O-field have anybody that throws hard??  I know whoever they threw against Buna was mid 70's. Buna put Raydon Taylor on the mound and he sits lower 80's and O-field struggled to hit him very hard.  I would expect similar outcome if Bridge City starts one of their regulars tonight.  For O-field to do damage, they will need Bridge City's help on defense.  Bridge City will not have any trouble putting the ball in play.  I look for BC to score 8-10 and depending on strength of their defense tonight, to hold the cat's to under 3.  We'll see.  The one thing O-field does have going for them, is BC is the big favorite and if BC shows up thinking the W is waiting for them, O-field might just get to give a little shock and awe and come away with a "big" W for themselves.....definiitely possible if BC puts down their guard.

Does anybody think Bridge City will go undefeated???

[quote name="Critter" post="1390501" timestamp="1364831156"] I see it being a 4 team race to the finish right now with BC, Silsbee, OF, with Buna looking in.... WOS may make a puch for the 3rd spot but they have ground to gain.  HF and HJ better hope for some outstanding play with a little luck in other battles. IMO [/quote] I think is is very likely outcome, and look how easy a struggling team could be a spoiler.......not to mention any possible upsets to the top two figuring in also!!!  and double WOW someone voted for 10 wins to get in......I suppose its' an optimistic O-field fan.  They are fundamentally sound team but I just don't see them beating BC or Silsbee without a colosal breakdown on their opponents part..... which could happen.

[quote name="fisherman2" post="1390471" timestamp="1364825814"] Sorry everyone for causing so much arguments just by saying Proctor was committed to Rice. I was just saying what I had been told and read on his Perfect Game profile. I do not know much about how baseball recruiting works. I'm more of a football and basketball guy. I knew baseball was different just didn't know how different. That being said I still don't find it hard to believe that Proctor will get a pretty decent scholarship at Rice. He throws 82 across the field according to Perfect Game, he has a good athletic build at around 6 feet tall, he has great fielding mechanics, and good hitting to. Not to mention he is a great student I've been told and it is even noted on his PG profile that he is a "very good student". Also it probably helps that his step brother Anthony Fazio just pitched for Rice a couple years back so there is a family connection. [/quote] That's great to hear about a local kid.....hopefully I will get to see him play and get to enjoy his talents!!

It did not seem like a game that would be decided in the first inning.  I just kept thinking Buna was going to have a big inning.....it just never happen.  Hats of to OField for taking care of their business, should be good game the next time around.

Wow, someone thinks it will take 9 wins to end up third place??? 7 is definitely mathmatically possible but boy think how many teams would likely be in that race??

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="1389500" timestamp="1364422548"] What SS would I want the ball hit to with game on line in 7th? Haven't seen any west of Winnie, so I would go with either Erickson (Lumberton) or Garcia (Silsbee) at this point. As far as pitching, let me chew on it. [/quote] If the criteria is who can handle the pressure right now  with game on line, I would have to agree with Adminbaberuth.... both of these boys fit the bill.  Pitching, with the same criteria, Guidry based on last years day in day out performances, he's your man.  Jake Lemonine(sp) definitely had the expectations riding on him, but Guidry was often called upon to finish it up and did.  Haven't seen much 4a or 5a pitching so really can't compare him to them, but I have seen him under pressure in high profile summer games and he was successful there and most know he's going to play next level. If the criteria is based on Next Level capabilities then its a whole lot easier to be objective:  Most SS playing D1 have to be sub 7.0 runners, 80mph across infield, have hitting tools(maybe not power), fall into general physical slot 6'0" , 190#,  you get the idea....... How many kids fit that bill...I am not sure, perfect game seems to be a pretty good collector of such info.  I do know Buna has one such kid who will graduate 2014 Jacob Kelly, and he is having some shoulder issues and has been playing other positions to help take load of his arm.  Even with the God given tools he has, he expects his best chance will be at third base at next level.  Let's face it God just makes some amazing boys with amazing talents.  Little out of the Triangle but just a little north in Hemphill is one such boy....Justin Twine. Pitchers, I think we are just going to have to wait a couple of years for more of  these boys to grow and mature to see what God has in store for them and us.  Ashworth, Anderson, Shugart, Franklin, Cleveland, Marshall, Edelmon, and list goes on and on ......  super signs of greatest to come ..... but only seen on the field from time to time. I wish more time was spent praising an awesome play, a timely hit, great pitching outing, clever coaching, just more positive input here, where it is obviously read and eventually gets to all the boys.  I am not saying give them false praise, but I sure would like to see more building up than breaking them down.  Don't get me wrong, I believe in criticism, in fact my son might even say that's all I believe in, but the truth is I believe him and all our children, we all have a lot riding on them to be successful in life, and if a sport like baseball can help train them for the future...then I say "playball"

I think 10+ wins = district champ 9 wins for 2nd and 8 wins gets you in.  :-*

Bridge City - Guidry, Shugart and ??? Silsbee -  Powell, and HJ - Duplant, and HF - Jannise(sp) and OF - ?? WO-S - Aiden Anderson, and                  

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="1386992" timestamp="1363751554"] Who got the win? Who had the hot bat? [/quote] Kreston Richardson went 3-3 for buna and was opportunistic on base path....scored on a swinging bunt(whiff) by palmer.  When HF made the out at first, runner advanced(kreston) but on bad throw back to pitcher he took third and on duplicate bad throw to third, he came on home.  Anybody that knows Boo(Kreston) knows he was absent when God was handing out speed, but he's a savy ballplayer that is playing more and more confident everyday. Pitching: Kolton Clark had a solid start ending up pitching himself into a jamb:  Bases loaded with 2 outs.  Timely move on the mound putting Joe Clark in with 4-3 lead, got us out of the pickle and kept it in lower part of the strike zone the rest of the night walking away with the save I think. Wasn't keeping the books, but I can only remember a couple of errors on defense:  one in outfield that cost couple of runs and maybe a passed ball for a run.  More importantly several routine plays made with confidence and couple of outstanding digs at first base by freshman Ty Cleveland and impressive heads up throw back(laser) from right field by Raydon Taylor to throw out a too ambitious baserunner who had just hit a crisp single to RF.  Goodjob Cougars.....keep it coming

Hoping to see some solid baseball out of Buna tonight.  Defense has been inconsistent thus far and teams in our district will make you pay for walks and errors as was the case in Silsbee.  I don't really think the boys are swinging the bats that bad.......sometimes you just keep hitting at someone.  They just haven't really had that big inning where 3-4 guys string some solid hits together.  It will come, but the boys are going to have to press the issue, nobody is going to hand it to them.  Looking forward to seeing this team form their identity and watching them work.  Goodluck tonight to both teams but I sure am hoping to see Buna come out on top.

Goodluck to both teams, may the best of both come out tonight.  From what I have seen so far, BC is solid on the bump as is Silsbee at the plate.... perfect formula for a great fight!!!

Silsbee is the clear favorite obviously, however Buna is by no means a serious underdog.  This is a winnable game if they(Buna) hit the ball hard on offense, keep the walks to a minimum on defense, and make their routine plays.  I am hoping for  the game to come down to the final innings and  a remarkable defensive play or rip at the right time is the difference maker,  regardless who wins.  Good luck to both teams but I'll be pulling for Buna.

Buna is new to the district and I enjoy watching a good pitching duel.  I know some of the boys from summer ball but curious who are the work horses of the district by school. Buna pretty much is pitching by committee this year and they all need to be ready to go 1-7 innings at any point.  Fortunately they have lots of ready arms:  J Clark, K Clark, Jm Kelly(hurt), Ty Cleveland, Raydon Taylor, Kreston Richardson, Chad Young, Glenn Patrick.  Strikes and defense will be their key to success.

Will Buna put one in the W column???  Big challenge drawing BC and Silsbee in the same week of district openers.

I understand the personal nature of his commitment to the development of college caliber players and beyond, he is a devoted dad with the available assets to spare no expense to provide for his family.  I am proud to say I feel blessed to live in a area common to that kind of devotion to one's family just not the ability to display it with such magnitude.  The fact is, he could have spent far less and in all likelihood his son and step sons could have (with their talent) been  presented with very similar opportunities at the next level.  Possibly with far more inconvenience (having to travel to Houston) but nonetheless somehow someway, their talents would have been exposed.  My son is only 15 and has benefited tremendously on the mere existence of the program.  Having taken lessons at the facility he has been exposed to various incredible talents in our area and humbling nature of how special(athleticism) God makes some people.  While the reality of his own future likely doesn't include the amazing achievements of  some of the Sun Devils, the life lessons learned now and maybe appreciated later have been worth every dollar spent on lessons.  Yes my son is striving to be the best baseball player he can be, but more importantly he is learning if you want to be a success in life you have to be willing to fully commit to the process even if failure is a likely outcome.  On the simpliest level a kid hitting 300 still fails more than he succeeds, yet we are all pretty aware how much a 300 hitter gets paid in MLB.  As any parent does, I want my son to experience winning but hope that winning isn't  more important than the willingness to meet defeat in order to accept a higher challenge. Chip Ferguson's generosity has been exponential to our area and beyond, and I wanted to just say thank you.  I wish him well and hope he enjoys watching his son's play at the next level for years to come.  I don't know him well and have only spoke to him a few times, but recently I did hear  him say "once a Sun Devil, always a Sun Devil!" and I know he meant it.

[quote name="forum" post="1225314" timestamp="1337783102"] [quote author=Sportsfan1968 link=topic=100132.msg1224830#msg1224830 date=1337647782] What is a lot of strikeouts for a batter to have in high school?? I know in select ball we didn't care all that much so long as the player was making the pitcher earn them. After all we were encouraging them to swing just as hard as they could under control.  With that you are definitely going to miss the ball at times.  But even then we never had kids with more k's than games played. We always seemed to find them help and move on. What do you guys think?? [/quote] I think you should leave the coaching to someone else if that's the mentality you're teaching kids. [/quote]What mentality would you suggest??  My point is you are not going to hit every pitch all the time. Strikeouts will happen and it's not the end of the world but 1 per game in my opInion is excessive and it wasn't tolerated when I Played nor when I coached. Kids got moved down or out if the lineup. I totally agree that they are unproductive outs. In addition batters should have a plan at the plate and good 2 strike approach when they find themselves in that situation. I have not seen very much of that at the high school level.  Curious if it was similar around. 

What is a lot of strikeouts for a batter to have in high school?? I know in select ball we didn't care all that much so long as the player was making the pitcher earn them. After all we were encouraging them to swing just as hard as they could under control.  With that you are definitely going to miss the ball at times.  But even then we never had kids with more k's than games played. We always seemed to find them help and move on. What do you guys think??